Saturday, December 17, 2011

Rodman Ford Foxboro Early Days 1960-1964

In an recent article titled, “Rodman Ford goes back to the future,” the Foxboro Reporter and Attleboro Sun Chronicle reported, “Rodman Ford is relocating to its original location at 53 Washington Street.” To someone reading this article whose life has not been ‘touch’ by the generosity of the Rodman family, the reader is led to believe that there were no earlier locations in the establishment of Rodman Ford.

Actually, prior to moving to the present location on Washington Street (Rte 1) Rodman Ford had been located at 5 Mechanic Street and 100 Central Street, near Foxboro Centre. The former became a Rodman dealership in July 1960 and the latter in May 1962.

The July 9, 1960 Foxboro Reporter stated, “Don Rodman is anxious to meet his new Foxboro friends and has opened the door to all to visit and meet the staff at the newly renovated establishment which houses one of the oldest Ford Dealerships started in the East when it was founded by George C. Collier, now retired… Mr. Rodman, a native of Dorchester, has spent his entire career in the automotive business from mechanic to salesman… A veteran of 4 years in the Army during World War II, he is married and makes his home in Canton with his wife and two sons."

Two years later, the May 17, 1962 Foxboro Reporter stated, “It was revealed last night that Rodman Ford Sales, Inc. of Mechanic Street has purchased the building and area formerly occupiedby McKenzie Motors of Central Street.

Two years later, in1964, Don and Gerry's continued success enabled them to expand to a new location on Route One, the present location of Rodman Ford, the location referenced in aforementioned news articles.